Family of man who died after police restraint seek ‘full and genuine apology’
The family of a church caretaker who died after being restrained in custody have called for a “full and genuine apology” after an inquest found police failures may have contributed to his death.
Thomas Orchard, 32, suffered a cardiac arrest after being held down, handcuffed and placed in restraints with an Emergency Response Belt (ERB) – designed to restrain limbs – wrapped around his face.
Mr Orchard died in hospital seven days after being arrested and taken to Devon and Cornwall Police’s Heavitree Road custody, Devon, in October 2012.
